Dorothy Reed Patton

 Dorothy Helen (Reed) Patton of Hale Center passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the age of 94. She was born June 3, 1930, in Abernathy to Arthur and Kate (Cooper) Reed. She continued to get her education through Abernathy when she graduated from the Class of 1946. Dorothy was an advocate for serving her local school district as a former PTA President of Hale Center and State officer and member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Many knew Dorothy for her involvements in giving back to the community she was apart of, and we can translate this trait back to her grandfather, John Reed, who was a member of the “Dirty 8”. The Dirty 8 was known in Hale Center for their sizable financial contributions and donations for the railroad to go through Hale Center in July of 1909, which is documented in the Hale County Farming Ranch Museum. Dorothy began her career from farmer and rancher’s wife to educator when she began to teach the youth at the Church of Christ Hale County for more than 30 years. Dorothy continued her love of education as she became the librarian for Hale Center Akin Elementary. Due to her years of service along with the immense amount of effort put into restoring Akin Library from a fire, upon her retirement the school district dedicated the library to her outstanding love and service on May 20, 2016. Dorothy became the family representative acknowledging the recipients of the LaVada Reed Bible Scholarship at Lubbock Christian University established in the 1950’s. It was through her acts of kindness and selflessness that everyone she touched felt welcomed and appreciated. One example was implementing her hobby of sewing into something that changed lives as she created over 800 garments of clothing for children in Central America through a mission program.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Doyle Wayne Patton of Dallas and Glenn Reed Patton of Lubbock; nephews and nieces, Jackie Patton, Janet Dodson, David Hamlin, and Brenda Noels along with her extended family of grand nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John Wayne Patton in March of 1991 along with her 5 siblings, Carl Reed, Kathleen Hamlin, Mildred Rankin, Olin Reed, and Newell Reed.

A visitation honoring Dorothy’s life will be held at Combest Family Memorial Chapel, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 5 PM to 7 PM. A service will begin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Sunset Church of Christ with interment to follow at Abernathy Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the LaVada Reed Bible Scholarship at Lubbock Christian University, 5601 19th St, Lubbock, TX 79407 https://lcu.edu/give?designation=Scholarships&restrictedScholarship=Other&otherDesignation=LaVada%20Reed%20Bible%20Scholarship, Carillon Foundation, 1717 Norfolk Ave, Lubbock, TX 79416 https://www.carillonlubbock.com/foundation/, or Sunset Church of Christ, 3723 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410 https://www.sunset.cc/giving.